Methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment between spaced apart electrodes

Abstract

As electrosurgical prove comprises a shaft having an electrode array (12) at its distal end and a connector at its proximal end. The array (12) includes a plurality of isolated electrode terminals, and an electrosurgical power supply (28) is provided with a multiplicity of independently limited or controlled current sources and a connector. The electrosurgical probe and the power supply may be connected through their respective connectors so that the independent current sources are connected to individual electrode terminals. By applying very high frequency electrical energy to the electrode array, target tissue may be cut or ablated while heat dissipation through low impedance paths, such as blood and normal saline, will be minimized.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of electrosurgery and, more particularly, to surgical devices and methods which employ very high frequency electrodes comprising an array of individual, isolated electrode terminals. [0003] The field of electrosurgery includes a number of loosely related surgical techniques which have in common the application of electrical energy to modify the structure or integrity of patient tissue. Electrosurgical procedures usually operate through the application of very high frequency currents to cut or ablate tissue structures, where the operation can be monopolar or bipolar. Monopolar techniques rely on external grounding of the patient, where the surgical device defines only a single electrode pole. Bipolar devices comprise both electrodes for the application of current between their surfaces. [0004] Electrosurgical procedures and techniques are particularly advantageous ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The use of such electrode arrays in electrosurgical procedures is particularly advantageous as it has been found to limit the depth of tissue necrosis without substantially reducing power delivery and ablation rates. Heretofore, increased power delivery with electrosurgical devices has generally been achieved by increasing monolithic electrode area. The resulting large electrode surfaces, however, cause tissue necrosis to a depth which varies proportionally with the width and area of the electrode surface. The present invention provides a more controlled necrosis depth by utilizing a plurality of isolated electrode terminals, where the terminals are preferably laterally spaced-apart by a distance from one-tenth to one terminal diameter, with spacing between larger electrode terminals generally being at the lower end of the range. Such spacing provides adequate power delivery and ablation rates without excessive tissue necrosis, which is usually limited to a depth less than one electrode terminal diameter.

Problems solved by technology

The resulting large electrode surfaces, however, cause tissue necrosis to a depth which varies proportionally with the width and area of the electrode surface.

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